Universal joint



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April 1o, 1928. 1,665,241

\ y c. w. wElss UNIVERSAL JOINT Filed Feb. 18, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheex 2 Patented Apr. 10, 1928.

CARL W'. WEISS, 0F BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

UNIVERSAL JOINT.

Application filed February 18, 1927. Serial No. 169,152.

This invention relates to universal joints of the character of that shown in Letters Patent ofthe United States No. 1,522,351, January 6, ,1925,` in'which two members capable of relative angular displacement have coacting portions with their proximate faces formed with non-concentric but intersecting grooves, with a' relatively movable body received partly in each of vsuch grooves and through which force is transmitted from one coacting portion to the other. The joint shown in that patent has been found entirely practicable for an angular displacement of the two shafts of at least thirty degrees and the object of the present invention is to adapt the joint for a much greater angular displacement. The joint now to be described has been found to be practicable for an angular displacement of at least sixty degrees.

1n accordance with the present invention,

. the two main members of the joint are formed substantially -as before and between them is interposed an intermediate member which is formed at its ends for coaction with the main members and through 'which power is transmitted fromone main member to the other. Suitable provisions are made for supporting the intermediate member and retaining it in operative relationship, such means being varied to suit different condi'- tions of use. The .invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in several embodiments. Figure 1 is a view in-longitudinab sectional elevation of one `embodiment` of the' invention.

Figure 2 is a view in transverse section on the plane indicated by the broken line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a partial view in longitudinal sectional elevation illustrating particularly different means for supporting the intermediate member.

Figure 4 is a detail view in sectional elevation illustrating still another means for supporting the intermediate member.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in FiguresI 1 and 2, one of the main members a, which vmay be either the driving member or the driven member, is shown as formed withl three linger-like portions or projections a with radial faces and designed to coact with corresponding portions of the intermediate member hereinafter described.

The other main member bl is similarly formed with linger-like portions or projections b, for coacton with the other end of thc intermediate member.

Ani intermediate member c, of suitable lcngtl1,is similarly formed at each'end with finger-Eke portions or projections c for colaction with the portions or projections a and b of the main members a and b respectively. This intermediate member c may be centered with respect to the two main men'ibersa and b by any convenient means, as, for example, a spherical bearing d at each end, received in a socket a2 or b2 formed in the corresponding member a or I) and pressed into such sockets by spring-pressed, spherically socketed plungers c2 carried by the intermediate member c.

The proximate faces of the coactingv por` tions a', c', of the main members a and b and the intermediate member c respectively, have formed therein, as described in said patent, non-concentric grooves @3,113 and c? respectively, with their vlongitudinal axes intersecting at an angle, and in the grooves of each pair is placed a relatively movable, preferably spherical, body 7 which forms a point of operative engagement or of trans mission of pressure which shifts its position as the angular displacement of the two main members and the intermediate member is (inl varied, so that the plane of its orbit bisects I the angle of displacement of each main member and the intermediate member, all as fully explained in said patent, whereby the angular velocity of each member of the.

joint is always the same as that of each other member and is always uniform if the angular velocity of the driving member is uniform. g

Under 'some conditions of use the intermediate member will be sufficiently supported and maintained in operative relation by the sperical bearing members d and the coaoting .spring-pressed' plungers, as shown, for exas indicated at g', on one of the svviveled.

' a, b, the axis of thesW-iveled support of the Vmediate member, which also permits the inguide-'piece g coinciding with theaxis on which the two yokesh, it are swiveled, so that the intermediate"membe'r shall always center itself with respect to the two mainmembers of the joint, regardless of the angular rdisplacement of either within the limits found to be practicable.

Another form of support for the intertermediate member to adapt itself in position, is shown in Figure Lf. ln this form of support a guide-piece g2, elongated vertically and adapted to engage the grooved intermediate member as before, is supported' on the ball and socket joint g3, also in the plane of the center of the joint, such guide-piece yielding to yevery angular displacen'ient of the intermediate member.

Various other embodiments of the invention will suggest themselves as requirements of use may indicate.

I claim as my invention:

1. A universal joint having two main members capable of relative angular displacement, an intermediate member also capable of relative angular displacement, they said several members having c oacting portions with their proximate faces formed with non-concentric grooves with their longitudinal axes intersecting at amangle, a relatively movable body received partly in each groove of each pair and through which` force is transmitted from one member to another, and means to support the intermediate member in operative relation-with the two main members with freedom for angular displacement. i

2. A universal joint having two main members capable of relative angular displacement, an intermediate member also capable of relative angular displacement, the said several membershaving coacting portions with their proximate faces formed with non-concentric grooves with their longitudinal axes intersecting at an angle, a relatively movable body received partly in each groove of. each pair through 4which force is transmitted from one member to another, said intermediate member being grooved at its equator, a guide-plece engaging the groove of the groove of each pair and through which force is transmitted from one'member to another,

each of said main members being formed with a spherical socket, a spherical bearing between each end of the intermediate member and the corresponding main member, and means carried by the intermediate member to press the spherical bearingsinto the corresponding sockets. f

4. A universal joint having two main members capable of relative angular displacement, anintermediate member also capable of relative angular displacement, the said several members having coacting portions with their proximate faces formed with non-concentric grooves with their longitudinal axes intersecting at an angle, a relatively movable body received partly in each groove of each pair and through which force is transmitted from one'member to another, a spherical bearing between each end of the intermediate member and the corre'- sponding member, and spring-pressed plung ers carried by the intermediate member'and engaging the SpheriCal'bearings to press them into sockets of the main members.

This specification signed this 14th day of February A. D. 1927. v A v CARL W. WEISS. 

